Internet Desk: Leander Paes got a step closer to qualifying for Rio Olympics. Paes, partnering Sam Groth of Australia won the Busan Open ATP Challenger by defeating Thai pair Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 4-6, 6-1, 10-7 on Sunday.
More than the title, the win helped Paes climb up three places to being world No. 54 in the ATP charts. According to the qualifying criteria of 2016 Rio Olympics, a player needs to be within the top 56 to be eligible to play, though the National Olympic Committees have the option of fielding a lower ranked player.
India’s top ranked player Rohan Bopanna is in the reckoning to get direct qualification provided he breaks into the top 10 ranking by June 11. It is the cut-off date to get direct qualification. According to the rules, Bopanna may then partner with any player of his choice with an ATP doubles ranking, however low that may be.
If Bopanna is not able to get into top-10, then India’s best chance to get a direct entry will by combining players with a combined ranking of 60.
India’s entry in men’s doubles will also be important because without it the country won’t be able to send an entry in mixed doubles.